Category Archives: cooking

Baby bum! I am very lucky that even with the baby on the move and getting into the older one’s stuff, she is still really sweet on her brother.

There was a great rainbow (double even!) after a storm over the weekend. This was the best picture I could get – by the time I grabbed the good camera it was already fading. I was really impressed by how vibrant this one was – unusual for CT. I feel like even when I was in Hawaii, I never saw a rainbow that bright.

The Lorax is a big Max & Ruby fan and seems especially taken with Bunny Scouts. So when I saw the Pretend Play Sash with Badges I knew it was perfect. When I asked what she did that she could make a badge for, I was expecting her to talk about swimming lessons. Instead she said “I helped take care of Nate” – so this is the “Taking Care of My Brother” badge – she drew the two of them on there and per her request I added the heart. She also made a star badge and a “cinderella” badge with a pumpkin and her name.

Our first week of summer vacation is just about done. I am pleased that I am not completely stressed out with Lorelai home full time again. I have been trying to do “school” with her each day – she’s working on writing letters or doing a few worksheets – it’s short, maybe 5 minutes? But it is something and she likes it, so we keep at it. I’ve got a bunch of stuff lined up (thank you Pinterest) to try and cover other activities. Today for school we cooked – we have a rainbow cake in the oven right now. I hope it turns out ok, but even if it doesn’t cake is cake!

Instead I will share a few tales from my kitchen. My dad’s birthday was yesterday and I invited my parents over for dinner. The birthday guy’s request? Spaghetti & Meatballs, Chocolate Cream Pie – I swear, my dad is the easiest guy to please sometimes. I broke out my Bittman bible and made a batch of meatballs. I am not Italian, but I feel like a stereotypical Italian grandma when I make that recipe! Also in Bittman was a recipe for Cream Pie, variation Chocolate. Perfect. The recipe did involve separating several eggs, not my favorite kitchen task, but I remembered that I had a special gift. Have you ever seen a Boogerboy Boris? My uncle sent one back with my parents for the Lorax and me when they visited him a while back. First thought? My goodness this is GROSS! (I’ve been allergy attacked this past week, thank you pollen!) Second thought? Holy chickens it actually works! I ended up with a dessert that looked like Chocolate Cream Pie, tasted like Chocolate Cream Pie, and my dad was happy, so, success! I also made a batch of peanut butter cup bars – fair warning, make these if you are having company over to help you eat them! I am sure to eat more than my fair share of these – they are excellent! Even Dan, who likes a peanut butter cup now and then but isn’t wild about them like I am, commented on how good they are! And easy – a bit of stovetop work and then into the fridge! That’s a lot of exclamation points. I mean each and every one.

The weather seems to have taken a turn for the better (thank goodness!) and I currently have Popsicles on the brain – there are so many cute molds! I had two sets of the basic shape, but one cracked, so I am looking into getting something new. Maybe ice cream cones or stars. The Lorax has found a love of popsicles as well, so I am hoping to have more success in making our own instead of buying them, especially now that we are on the cusp of fruit season here.